Customized three dimensional printed prosthesis as a novel intercalary reconstruction for resection of extremity bone tumours: a retrospective cohort study.

AIMS

The 3D-printed prosthesis (3DP) is a novel treatment for massive bone defect reconstruction after tumor resection. This study was aiming to explore the clinical efficacy of customized 3DP for intercalary reconstruction by comparing the clinical outcomes after implanting customized 3DP or conventional allograft in limb salvage surgery.

METHODS

A total of 28 patients with extremity bone tumors who underwent customized 3DP or conventional allograft reconstruction between 2011 and 2018 at our institution were analyzed retrospectively. Among them, 14 cases received customized 3DP reconstruction (3DP group), and 14 cases received conventional allograft reconstruction (control group). Demographics, surgical outcomes, radiographical assessments, limb functions, and post-operative complications between these two groups were collected to evaluate clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

No significant difference was observed in the demographics, mean intra-operative blood loss, MOSI scores, and MSTS scores between the two groups. Patients in 3DP group had a shorter operative time (157.9 vs 199.6 min, p = 0.03) and lesser number of fluoroscopy (4.1 vs 8.1, p < 0.001) compared to control group. The mean time to osseointegration at bone-implant interfaces in 3DP group was significantly earlier than that in control group (6.1 vs 12.2 months, p < 0.001). Moreover, the 3DP group had a significantly lower post-operative complication rate than the control group (7% vs 50%, p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

The customized 3DP might provide a promising strategy for intercalary reconstruction in limb salvage surgery with more precise reconstruction, higher surgical efficiency, and comparable satisfactory clinical outcomes.